Paranoid Cognition in Transgender Individuals: The Impact of the Workplace on

Transgender Paranoia

---------

School of Psychology, Western Sydney University

BEHV1003: Introduction to Research Methods

Dr. Emma Walter

21st October 2022

Word count: 1183

2

Paranoid Cognition in Transgender Individuals: The Impact of the Workplace on

Transgender Paranoia

Paranoid ideation is the cognitive adaptation used against threats as a response to

traumatic experiences (Carvalho et al. 2017). A correlation between the transgender

experience in the workplace and paranoia is present (Thoroughgood et al. 2017), however

there is little evidence showcasing a direct causation to paranoid ideation in the transgender

population. This present research aims to either prove or disprove if there is a correlation

between age and paranoid ideation in transgender individuals, aiming to answer the research

question of: Is paranoid cognition introduced in the adulthood of transgender individuals?

The hypotheses being tested are:

H0: There will be no correlation between age and paranoid ideation in transgender

participants

H: Transgender paranoia and age will be positively correlated.

Method

Research Design

This research will be carried out as a within subject design, across ten years to

examine the presence of paranoid cognition throughout the life span. This will include

quantitative research on both transgender individuals’ level of paranoid cognition as the

dependent variable, with age being an independent variable and a control of the gender

conforming (GC) participants.

Research will be conducted as a questionnaire on paranoid ideation upon recruitment, then

repeated following ten years. The results will be collated and analysed using statistical
3

procedures, comparing them to showcase the impact of paranoid ideation on transgender

individuals over time. The method used will remain the same on both instances of research to

measure the correlation between age and paranoid ideation. Thus, the aim is to determine if

the experiences within adulthood, namely the workplace, is a potential cause to transgender

paranoia.

Participants

Participants will consist of individuals aged 15-19 and speak English. Recruitment

will include a transgender males, females and non-binary participants based on the critera that

their assigned gender at birth does not align with their gender identity (Thouroughgood et al.

2017). Additionally, participants who are GC will be recruited as a control, with an even split

between GC and non-GC participants, aiming for approximately 60 participants in total. Due

to the lack of defining characteristics, recruitment will follow convenience sampling,

gathering participants from relevant online groups.

Materials

Freeman et al’s 2005 multidimensional instrument of paranoia ideation will be used to

measure the extent of paranoia in individuals. This includes eighteen statements such as, “I

need to be on my guard against others.”, that is measured on a six-point Likert scale, with

higher scores indicating a higher presence of paranoia. This tool holds a Cronbach coefficient

of .87, proving it to be a justifiable measure for research. A copy of these questions will be

available to participants using the questionnaire site Qualtrics.

Procedure and Site

The participants will be recruited from online queer support forums (with permission),

through creating a post outlining the research. Then, once contacted, they will complete a

screening to test eligibility. Following this, the participants will complete Freeman et al’s

2005 questionnaire, taking approximately an hour, which they will be paid according to their
4

hourly wage. This will be completed again following the ten-year gap, using the same

participants and method. Data will then be collated and analysed using relevant statistical

methods.

Confidentiality

The National Statement on Ethical Conduct (TNSEC) (National Health and Medical

Research Council, 2018) refers to privacy concerning multiple ethical areas for research. Due

to the increased risk of discrimination and harm that transgender individuals endure

(Lombardi et al. 2002), it is essential that all data remains anonymous. The only factors

known will be the participants gender and their assigned sex at birth. Prior to disposal, data

will be kept in a locked file on the researcher’s personal computer, the participants will be

made aware that data will be kept for a prolonged period due to the nature of the research.

The data will be disposed following the minimum period for data retention of 5 years after

publication.

Consent

During this research, voluntary consent is essential. The participants will be informed

via a consent form of the ‘purpose, methods, demands, risk, and potential benefits’ (National

Health and Medical Research Council, 2018, p.16) as well as the retention and disposal of

data. Additionally, consent can be retracted throughout research at any time, resulting in the

participant being withdrawn and data being disposed. Participants will be reimbursed based

on their hourly wage, reducing any coercion in the consent process.

Risks and Benefit

Risk can be described using the potential of harm as well as its severity, which the

participants must be aware of to obtain consent (Hendriks et al. 2019). This research regards

mental health matters, presenting a moderate risk to participants through addressing a

vulnerable subject. To manage this risk, participants will be well informed of their
5

requirements, as well as a suitable helpline will be made available for all participants if any

harm were to occur. This research would benefit a minority group; however, the benefits

must outweigh the risks for research to be conducted, which the research proposal would

need to be reviewed by the Human Research Ethics Committees (HREC) prior to

commencement.

Ethical Standard for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal People

To ensure that indigenous cultural knowledge and values are upheld, research will

ensure that both Indigenous Peoples and the HREC are included in all decision-making

processes. Additionally, the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants

must be acknowledged in publication to ensure respect is granted. The Indigenous ethical

guidelines (National Health and Medical Research Council, 2018) refer to ‘free, prior and

informed’ consent (P.15). Thus, an interpreter may be required for all areas of consent are to

be determined and understood. Although there is little evidence on Indigenous attitudes

towards transgender individuals, the analysis and dispersion of data will need to be

negotiated, and privacy is a main concern to retain cultural relationships and ensure

Indigenous rights are being met. All researchers must have experience in Indigenous

communities and have relevant qualifications to carry out respectful research.

Ethical Standard for Children and Young People

This research requires young participants who are not of age to consent in research.

Thus, adequate information must be presented and communicated in a manner that is

understood by all parties, as well as consent must not be coerced by legal guardians (National

Health and Medical Research Council, 2018). Some participants will most likely be of a

mature age to understand information regarding research according to the TNSEC, however,

they may lack maturity to consent. Consent can be agreed between the young person and a

legal guardian using all information of the research process. Throughout this, the TNSEC
6

requires researchers must make a judgement on the young person’s capacity to consent

without coercion, as well as include a legal guardian or a review body to aid in this decision.

Consent may be decided by the legal guardian when the young person is unaware of the

benefits of research. In this case, the researcher may proceed, remaining attentive to the child

responding to the process, whilst ensuring their justice when consent is not formally given.

This consent may also be revoked at any time.

7

References

Carvalho, C. B., Sousa, M., Motta, C. D., Pinto-Gouveia, J., Caldeira, S. N., Peixoto, E. B.,

Cabra, J., Fenigstein, A. (2017). Paranoia in the general population: A revised version

of the general paranoia scale for adults. Clinical Psychologist, 21, 125-134.

https://doi.org/10.1111/cp.12065

Freeman, D., Garety, P. A., Bebbington, P. E., Smith, B., Rollinson, R., Fowler, D., Kuipers,

E., Ray, K., Dunn, G. (2005), Psychological investigation of the structure of paranoia

in a non-clinical population. British Journal of Psychiatry, 5, 427-435.

https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.186.5.427.

Hendriks, S., Grady, C., Ramos, K. M., Chiong, W., Fins. J. J., Ford, P., Goering, S., Greely,

H.T., Hutchison, K., Kelly, M. L., Kim, S. Y. H., Klein, E., Lisanby, S. H., Mayberg,

H., Maslen, H., Miller, F. G., Rommelfanger, K., Sheth, S. A., Wexler, A. (2019).

Ethical challenges of risk, informed consent, and posttrial responsibilities in human

research with neural devices: A review. Archives of Neurology, 76.12, 1506-1514.

doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.3523

Lombardi, E. L., Wilchins, R. A., Priesing, D., Malouf, D. (2002). Gender violence:

Transgender experiences with violence and discrimination. Journal of Homosexuality,

42.1, 89-101. https://doi.org/10.1300/J082v42n01_05.

National Health and Medical Research Council. Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and

stakeholders. (2018). Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.

National Health and Medical Research Council. (2018). National statement on ethical

conduct in human research. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.

8

Throroughgood, C. N., Sawyer, K. B., Webster, J. R. (2017). What lies beneath: How

paranoid cognition explains the relations between transgender employees’ perceptions

of discrimination at work and their job attitudes and wellbeing. Journal of Vocational

Behavior, 103, 99-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.07.009